Friday, November 21, 2025 | Vol. 11, No. 13 | | MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS | | |
My Dear Colleagues and Students,
I am happy to greet you as we celebrate supporting our students through the government shut down, and give thanks for the good work of Madeline Cruz and others in the Food Pantry. The College invested significantly in keeping it open, longer hours three days a week. We also received support from the Chancellor’s team in the Central Office. As we consider this moment in time, it is important to affirm, once again, Hostos’ commitment to the principles of non-discrimination, inclusion, protection under the law for all, regardless of national origin or citizenship. Equity, inclusion and diversity have a vital role in our mission. Today this commitment is ever-more important.
Next week is Thanksgiving, a time to reflect about family and our world family is a priority. I hope you get to enjoy breaking bread with your loved ones and to renew energies for the last push of the last few weeks of classes in which our community will prepare for finals and term papers. As you do that, don’t forget to work with students to pre-register for next semester, to support their completion of their studies this semester and to engage with hope on the next steps towards a better future.
Mil gracias y bendiciones,
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
President
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Fall Song
By Joy Sapulpa-Harjo
It is a dark fall day.
The earth is slightly damp with rain.
I hear a jay.
The cry is blue.
I have found you in the story again.
Is there another word for “divine”?
I need a song that will keep sky open in my mind.
If I think behind me , I might break.
If I think forward, I lose now.
Forever will be a day like this
Strung perfectly on the necklace of days.
Slightly overcast
Yellow leaves
Your jacket hanging in the hallway
Next to mine.
Sapulpa-Harjo, Joy, Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: 50 Poems for 50 Years, © 2023, Forward © 2023 by Sandra Cisneros, W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110, First Edition. P. 63
| | MS. MACKENZIE SCOTT’S GIFT: PRESIDENT’S INITIATIVES | | |
Submitted by Research Programs Director Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D.
Dear Students and Colleagues,
It gives me great joy to extend to you and all your family and loved ones my best wishes for the Thanksgiving holiday. May it be a time full of gratitude and reflection as we look back on all that has been accomplished and look toward the hope of a new year that is only a few weeks away. I also want to thank all the students, faculty, and staff that have participated in the Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives, including Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus, Families United in Education, Hostos Research Center Scholars, NextGen programs, and the new initiatives that were launched this fall, which are providing additional support and resources to help more of our students achieve their goals. Thank you to all who attended special events and research presentations at the Hostos Research Center this fall. I hope that you were encouraged and inspired by the great work taking place across our campus. I also want to highlight upcoming events and opportunities that are now available and open for receiving applications. Please read below for important information on how to apply.
Sincerely,
Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D.
Educating for Diversity Initiative
The Educating for Diversity Initiative is back for Spring 2026! The Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives is inviting applications from students, faculty, and staff for mini-grants to support cultural, social, and educational activities that address the interests of Hostos students and community members in advancing issues of social justice, racial equity, diversity and inclusion. Grants will range from $500 - $2,000, and submissions are welcome from any individual or group at Hostos. Click here to apply.
The Educating for Diversity application deadline is Friday, December 10, 2025.
Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series
Date | Time: Wednesday, December 3 | 12:30 PM
Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)
Description: The Hostos community is invited to attend the final event in the Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series that will showcase a research presentation from an ADELANTE/IDEAS grantee. Our keynote speaker is Professor Tanvir Prince who will present on his IDEAS project, "EngageMath: Developing Interactive Learning Modules for Enhanced Mathematics Learning."
| | OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA) | | |
Submitted by Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Babette Audant, Ph.D.
Zooming in on Withdrawals Intersectionally
Among the more “meta” performance indicators tracked by the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) and OIERA are the rate of W, or withdrawal, grades.
While W grades are typically bundled as part of the “DWFI” cluster (D and F grades, W grades and Incompletes), each suggests a range of reasons why students earned, or ended up, with a DWFI. This is an opportunity to look more closely at W grades in relation to credits attempted, credits completed, and to explore whether there are significant differences across variables of gender, race/ethnicity and age. The goal of these smaller scale excavations is to get a sense of correlations of outcomes across time, and to hold ourselves accountable for student outcomes in general as well as indications that we may be able to target supports to ensure improved student outcomes overall.
There are several categories of “W” grades, some that indicate students are being proactive, and others that suggest students have stopped attending, or participating in, class.
The table below suggests there is a fairly consistent relation between the number of courses attempted and the number of courses completed. Additionally, it suggests that many First Time Freshmen (FTF) attempt the recommended five courses in their first semesters. What we cannot learn from these aggregate data is if those students attempting five courses are more or less likely to withdraw from one of their respective courses. (Data indicates that nearly 50% of FTF who attempt 30 or more credits in their first two semesters drop at least one of those classes, compared to the approximately 35-40% of FTF who attempt 20 or more credits in their first two semesters.)
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First Time Freshmen
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 5.1
- W grades: 21%
- Courses completed: 4.0
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 4.7
- W grades: 25.7%
- Courses completed: 3.5
Fall 2024
- Courses attempted: 4.9
- W grades: 19.1%
- Courses completed: 3.9
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All Students
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 4.2
- W grades: 17.4%
- Courses completed: 3.4
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 3.8
- W grades: 19.9%
- Courses completed: 3.0
Fall 2024
- Courses attempted: 3.9
- W grades: 15.2%
- Courses completed: 3.3
| | Looking more closely at the data, there were small and consistent gender-based differences: over the three years of data, male students had a 2 percentage point (or 7-8%) higher W rate than female students. More notable was the difference between students who are 25 or younger compared to students who are older than 25 (about 40% of Hostos students): | |
25 and Under – First Time Freshmen
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 5.2
- W grades: 22.8%
- Courses completed: 4.0
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 4.8
- W grades: 27%
- Courses completed: 3.5
Fall 2021
- Courses attempted: 5.0
- W grades: 19.8%
- Courses completed: 4.0
25 and Under – All Students
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 4.4
- W grades: 19.3%
- Courses completed: 3.4
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 3.8
- W grades: 22.5%
- Courses completed: 2.9
Fall 2021
- Courses attempted: 3.9
- W grades: 16.5%
- Courses completed: 3.3
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Over 25 – First Time Freshmen
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 4.6
- W grades: 12.3%
- Courses completed: 4.1
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 4.1
- W grades: 17.1%
- Courses completed: 3.4
Fall 2021
- Courses attempted: 4.4
- W grades: 14.9%
- Courses completed: 3.7
Over 25 – All Students
Fall 2022
- Courses attempted: 4.0
- W grades: 12.5%
- Courses completed: 3.5
Fall 2023
- Courses attempted: 3.7
- W grades: 13.2%
- Courses completed: 3.2
Fall 2021
- Courses attempted: 3.9
- W grades: 12.4%
- Courses completed: 3.4
| | Here the difference between the rate of Ws earned by students 25 and under and students over 25 ranges between more than 45% and 25%. What might this mean? That First Year Experience (FYE) is that much more important for students 25 and under transitioning (nearly) directly from high school? That older students are more adept at evaluating their chances of succeeding in the long run and/or accessing support services? We don’t know and the significance of the gap between cohort outcomes is an opportunity to look further at course-enrollment patterns and the correlations between - for example - accessing HALC, or meeting regularly with advisors - that might help guide outreach and effort to ensure that if students earn W grades, these are a strategic decision and not a default outcome. | | OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | | |
Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.
Broker Fees Are Now Illegal in NYC: The FARE Act
This week’s update comes from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.
The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act took effect on June 11, 2025. This law prohibits brokers who represent landlords from charging broker fees to tenants. This includes brokers who publish listings with the landlord’s permission. Landlords or their agents must disclose other fees that the tenant must pay in their listings and rental agreements.
Forced broker fees are now ILLEGAL and landlords cannot charge real estate broker fees to renters. Being forced to pay a broker you didn’t hire? File a complaint with your text messages, screenshots, etc. at http://on.nyc.gov/45HcTY7.
| | OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY | | |
Submitted by Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and 504/ADA Coordinator Philip Oliveri, Esq.
Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course for Both Employees (E-SPARC) and Students (SPARC)
All employees and students are required to complete the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (“E-SPARC” for employees and “SPARC” for students). These are web-based training programs developed by the State University of New York in partnership with the City University of New York to satisfy the New York State requirement that every college must adopt a comprehensive orientation and ongoing education campaign to educate students and employees about sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and sexual violence. These training programs educate students and employees about various topics relating to sexual misconduct and harassment.
If you have not yet completed your respective training, please do so as soon as possible. You can access your respective training on Brightspace.
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Submitted by Dean Ana I. García Reyes
As Always, Thank You for Making Us Part of Your Journeys!
The Office of Community Relations is deeply thankful to colleagues, partners and friends for the numerous invitations to participate in meaningful cultural celebrations, meetings and community forums during the month of November. Some of these included:
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The Immigration Action Day on November 5 | The Hostos community witnessed the power of speaking openly about inclusion. My special thanks to Marina Esquilin and Lillian Morales, from SDEM. For more information related to the initiative, contact Marina Esquilin at (718) 518-4166.
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SDEM Open House | What a joy to watch the power of collaboration amongst members of the SDEM family! Community Relations said “presente” and pleasantly welcomed many prospective Caimans. We can’t wait to have you with us at our beloved College!
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Memorial Ceremony in Honor of the Victims of Flight 587 on November 12 | Community Relations is especially grateful to all the family members who joined the emotional moving ceremony to pay tribute to their loved ones. Also, muchas gracias to the colleagues, and friends who participated and were part of the beautiful program, including Ms. Belkis Lora, Flight 587 Committee Chair; Mr. Rafael Torres, Paralegal at Hostos Office of Legal Affairs; Mr. Gerson Peña, from Community Relations; and Mr. Victor Santana, who represented our President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. May all the victims continue to rest in peace.
Lastly, please note that applications for the Summer 2026 Professional Development & Study Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic continue to be open. To register, or for additional information, please email Mr. Gerson Peña at GPENA@hostos.cuny.edu.
We deeply appreciate these partners for welcoming Hostos into their spaces and for allowing us to stand alongside them in service to our communities.
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Submitted by Director Ivano Leoncavallo
Event Listings on Website Calendar
Dear Colleagues,
To ensure that the Hostos website calendar reflects the full range of activities taking place across the College, we kindly ask for your support in sharing all upcoming events with us. Our goal is to be as comprehensive and timely as possible, and your submissions play an essential role in helping us achieve that.
To submit an event, please send all relevant details at least two weeks prior to the event date. This advance notice allows us to post your information in a timely manner and ensures greater visibility for your program, meeting, or activity.
When submitting an event, please include the following information:
- Event Title
- Date and Time
- Location
- Event Description
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RSVP and Any Additional Details (if applicable, please include the link, email, form, flyer, photo, or instructions required)
Please email all event submissions to:
ileoncavallo@hostos.cuny.edu
wburgos-matos@hostos.cuny.edu
We look forward to assisting you and helping highlight the important work happening throughout the Hostos community. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued partnership.
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Submitted by Provost and VP Andrea Fabrizio, Ph.D.
MOTH at HOSTOS
Submitted by Dr. Liz Porter, Director, Writing Center
For six weeks, the world-renowned storytelling organization known as THE MOTH, is working with a small group of students as part of Title V programming and in collaboration with the Writing Center. Each Wednesday, students meet with two Moth producers, along with English professor, Alison Lowenstein, and WC Poet-in-Practice, Sarah Key, to develop stories that eventually will end in a story slam where each student tells a five-minute story without any notes. Producer Jonathan Cabral from the Moth is a Hostos graduate, so he has enjoyed "coming home" to work with our students. One of the first homework assignments students had was to pick a song meaningful to them and to be prepared to tell the group why. It proved to be a meaningful warm-up, with many of the storytellers drawing on powerful emotions. We are looking forward to the end results, which will be recorded by the Moth on Wednesday, November 19th. As per the Moth’s policy, the group will decide the week before if they want to open up their final Story Slam to an audience.
Summary of the Liberal Arts A.A. Alumni Career Talk Panel
Submitted by Natasha Yannecanedo
The Liberal Arts A.A. presentation, held on November 3, 2025, offered Hostos students an in-depth overview of the academic and career opportunities available within the Liberal Arts program. The session emphasized the flexibility and breadth of the degree, highlighting pathways into a wide range of professional fields.
The panel was hosted by Professor Natasha Lorca Yannacañedo, Faculty Director of First Year Experience, and Felix O. Sanchez, Alumni Relations Manager. Professor Linda Hirsch provided a comprehensive presentation on the Liberal Arts options, illustrating how the competencies developed through the Liberal Arts prepare students for diverse academic and professional pursuits.
Presented as part of the First Year Experience series in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Relations, the session also featured inspiring testimonies from Hostos alumni Gabriel Levine-Justicia (Class of 2012) and Milagros Nuñez (Class of 2017). They shared how their Liberal Arts education at Hostos laid the foundation for their continued success. Speaking with grace and openness, they connected deeply with students through their honesty, warmth, and encouragement to persevere and seek support when needed. Their presence transformed the room into a space of genuine connection and inspiration.
| | STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM) | | |
Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.
When Challenges Rise we Stand Together as a Community
As a community, we have experienced moments of great success and times that have tested our resilience. Through it all, one constant remains: our shared commitment to supporting students and each other.
During the longest government shutdown in history, we saw how deeply such events can affect our campus. Essential support services that many of our students rely on were paused, including SNAP benefits. For those who depend on these resources, the impact was immediate and significant.
We knew we had to act quickly. Our One Stop Program immediately stepped in to provide additional support through the Food Pantry. The hours of the Food Pantry were extended to ensure that we were available to meet any growing demand for access to the Food Pantry.
Ms. Madeline Cruz, who provides direct supervision of the Food Pantry, acted swiftly and decisively during this critical time. She pivoted to extend the pantry’s hours, ensuring that there was access to the resource. Her leadership was instrumental in keeping the pantry fully operational and responsive to the growing needs for this service during a period of uncertainty.
The commitment from our President, Daisy Cocco De Filippis and Senior Vice President Esther Chardavoyne, to keep the pantry well-stocked was instrumental in ensuring that we were able to rise to the occasion and provide tangible, meaningful support to our campus community.
This was not easy—it meant extra coordination and availability from the staff—but it reminded us of something powerful: every challenge is an opportunity to strengthen our resolve and show what it means to care for one another. Communication went out to assure the campus that services would be expanded, and the response was overwhelming—proof that when we work together, we can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
Thank you to everyone who played a role in this effort. Your compassion and commitment make Hostos more than a college—it makes us a community.
Dr. Althea Sterling
Vice President
Transfer Services
There's Still Time to Transfer to CUNY for Spring 2026 - But Don't Wait!
The graduation deadline has passed, and the CUNY priority transfer deadline has passed, BUT you can still apply and transfer for the spring semester.
Here's what you need to know: The longer you wait, the longer it takes to be accepted and enrolled. Spring classes start soon, and enrollment for spring has started here and at 4-year campuses - so every day counts!
If you're planning to transfer to a senior college, our Transfer Services team is here to help you:
- Complete your applications
- Track your admission decisions
- Enroll and register for spring classes at your new college
Connect with Us Today!
Walk-In Wednesdays: Stop by our office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment needed.
Call us: 718-518-4457
Email us:
You'll also find us at our weekly Tuesday tabling event in the A-Atrium. Don't let time slip away - reach out to us this week and let's get your transfer on track!
Scholarships Office
Unlock Your Future: Apply for scholarships Today!
Hostos students can access 21 internal scholarship opportunities to help fund their education—from covering tuition to supporting everyday college expenses.
Why Apply? Scholarships can ease financial stress and open doors to new academic and personal opportunities.
External Scholarship Opportunities:
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Fashion Scholarship Fund – $5,000 for Business Management students pursuing fashion-related studies. (Deadline: 12/31/2025)
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Belle Zeller Scholarship – $5,000 for full-time CUNY undergraduates with a 3.75+ GPA. (Deadline: 2/27/2026)
How to Apply: Visit hostos.academicworks to explore and apply. For help, contact Marina Esquilin, Scholarship Specialist, at 718-518-4166 or email mesquilin@hostos.cuny.edu.
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| ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM) | | |
Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne
Important Information for Employees with GHI CBP-Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
As a reminder, employees who currently have GHI CBP Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will automatically be transferred to a new health plan NYCE PPO (which is replacing GHI/CBP) effective January 1, 2026. The new plan provides an expanded network of providers without increases in cost. You will receive a new ID card and welcome kit before January 1, 2026.
If you would like to move to a different plan instead of being automatically transferred to NYCE PPO, you may do so by contacting HR Benefits Specialist, Ariadne Condos, at ACondos@hostos.cuny.edu during the Open Enrollment Period from Nov 1-Nov 30, 2025.
For additional information regarding the new NYCE PPO plan, please see the following link: NYC OLR NYCE PPO Plan and/or go directly to the website at: www.nyceppo.com where you can sign up for virtual informational sessions, view FAQs, and access plan details. Feel free to reach out to HR Staff members Ariadne Condos (ACondos@hostos.cuny.edu) or Herminia Reyes (HReyes@hostos.cuny.edu) for any additional assistance.
| | CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD) | | |
Submitted by VP Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Ph.D., LCSW
Announcements
As we reflect on the last academic year, we are grateful for all the successes achieved because they reflect our commitment to helping students reach their academic and career goals. See CEWD highlights from FY 2024-25 here.
Calling on Volunteers
Since 2018 Hostos has been a meal distribution center in collaboration with God's Love We Deliver on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteer to help deliver 12,000 festive Thanksgiving meals and gifts to clients living with severe and chronic illnesses.
On Thursday, November 27, 2025, volunteer drivers are needed to pick up meals from Hostos and deliver them to 6-8 households in the Bronx on Thanksgiving morning.
Please sign up to join this wonderful effort! Two shifts are available; more details can be found on the signup pages.
Thanksgiving Volunteer Driver: Hostos Community College 9:30am shift (Bronx)
Thanksgiving Volunteer Driver: Hostos Community College 10:00am shift (Bronx)
Attend one or all CEWD History of Latin Jazz and Latin Music Seminars
Taught by Joe Conzo Sr., a noted music historian, producer, and author of “Mambo Diablo: My Journey with Tito Puente.” During this seminar, participants will learn about the impact of Latin music pioneers and artists, as well as how this musical genre has evolved since the 1930s. Periodically, special guests are invited to speak with students.
The seminar will meet here from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom on Saturdays:
November 22
December 6
December 13
Announcement
The CEWD Fall 2025 Catalog is available. Please click here, to browse our online catalog.
CEWD Information Sessions
To learn more about CEWD’s program offerings, attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions:
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 12:30 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6 PM (In-Person)
Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 AM (Virtual)
To register for a session, visit https://tinyurl.com/HostosCEWD.
| | INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (DIA) | | |
Submitted by VP Colette Atkins
Thank You for Joining Our Nourishing Conversation with Chef Kelvin Fernandez
Thank you to everyone who attended our Nourishing Conversation with Chef Kelvin Fernandez on Thursday, Nov 20. Chef Kelvin’s story demonstrates the transformative power of scholarships and the unique ability of food to bridge cultures. Don’t forget to help Hostos students access and share food with their family this CUNYTuesday by donating to the Food Pantry at Hostos.
Call for Submission to the Hostos Alumni Newsletter
We are excited to announce the launch of the very first Hostos Community College Alumni Newsletter, debuting in January 2026 and published every three months! This initiative will not only highlight important news and updates—it will also feature the voices, stories, and creativity of our incredible alumni community.
We invite you to become a collaborator by submitting original content on topics that matter most to you and our community. To get started, simply complete our submission form and upload your content for review. You will also have the option to include a profile picture to be featured alongside your work.
Let's make this newsletter a powerful reflection of the diversity, talent, and impact of Hostos alumni. Together, we will continue to inspire, inform, and strengthen the Hostos legacy.
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Celebrating the Accomplishments of the Hostos Community
Make sure to check our website and follow us on social media for all updates: Instagram (@hostoscollege), Facebook (HostosCC), and LinkedIn (CUNY Hostos Community College).
Deadline TODAY: Nominations for Manos a la Obra / All-Hands-on-Deck Awards!
If you wish to nominate a well-deserving member of the Hostos family to receive a Manos a la Obra / All-Hands-on-Deck Award, please send a nomination to dkreymer@hostos.cuny.edu and mstmarthe@hostos.cuny.edu by Friday, November 21. The recipients will be honored at our End-of-Semester All-College Meeting on Thursday, December 11.
Science Week - Open House Was a Total Success!
Kudos to the Natural Sciences Department and all who contributed to making the 2025 Science Week – Open House, held from November 10–14, an extraordinary success. More than 200 students, faculty, staff, and administrators participated in a vibrant week of events, featuring an inspiring keynote presentation on November 12 by Dr. Derek M. Shore, the STEM Student Research Presentation, and the STEM Alumni Conversation: Professional Experiences. Throughout the week, our community also engaged in a dynamic array of Teach-ins, Field Trips, the Eye-Bank Portrait Studio and Presentation, and the exciting Hostos STEM Olympiad. Your enthusiasm, participation, and support made this celebration of science truly remarkable.
On behalf of President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all leaders who made this happen, especially Andrea Fabrizio, Provost; Sofia Oviedo, Research Programs Director; Yvonne McKenzie, Research Center Coordinator; and Ms. Karin Contreras, from NSD, for their invaluable assistance in preparing the HRC and managing the audio-visual components of the event. We are also deeply grateful to the Hostos Conference Center, Facilities, and the Communications Office for their continued partnership and for helping promote our 2025 Science Week – Open House celebration. Please take a look at the recap here.
New Publication by Dr. Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham
Congratulations to CEWD VP Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham on the publication of her work, “Becoming Adults: Immigrant and Second-Generation Dominican Youth in the U.S.” The results of her study were published as part of the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Research Monograph Series, which publishes original research sponsored by the CUNY DSI, establishing itself as a leading voice in Dominican Studies for nearly three decades.
In this groundbreaking study, Dr. Fernández-Ketcham examines how young people of Dominican ancestry navigate the transition from youth into adulthood, an area that has received little scholarly attention until now. Focusing on immigrant and second-generation students, and employing a mixed methodological approach that combines quantitative analysis with ethnographic fieldwork, Fernández-Ketcham introduces an innovative framework that expands the boundaries of Dominican Studies and opens an entirely new field of inquiry. Read it here.
New Book Alert!
Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, Communications Manager, recently published his first bilingual children’s book, “Luisito Needs a Ramp!” (La Societé Book Project, 2025). In it, Luisito, a Dominican and Puerto Rican kid who moves to the Bronx, encounters the everyday challenges of navigating a world that isn’t always built with accessibility in mind. When he discovers that his new school and neighborhood lack the ramps he needs to get around, Luisito learns to advocate for himself with the help of new friends and a school community that believes in a world for all. The book is available on Amazon here. To get signed copies with free swag, go here.
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Free Services for the Community
Hostos Offers Free Preventive Dental Hygiene Services to the Public
The Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility at Hostos Community College is a teaching unit that provides high-quality dental care, primarily cleanings and dental x-rays, to the community, while adhering to the most current sterilization techniques. Several appointments will be needed and each may last three hours at a time.
For more information and scheduling, call 718-319-7943.
The appointment schedule is as follows:
Mondays: 9 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM
Wednesdays: 8 AM - 12 PM and 2:30 - 6:30 PM
Fridays: 9 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM
Location: Hostos Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility
500 Grand Concourse, Bronx NY 10451
B-Building
Note: The clinic does not provide restorative dental work such as fillings, implants, etc.
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Don’t miss these upcoming matchups in the Gymnasium!
Men’s Basketball Game
Date | Time: Tuesday, December 6 | 2 PM
Location: Gymnasium
Description: Men’s Basketball vs Sullivan Community College
Basketball Double Header
Date | Time: Tuesday, December 11 | 6 PM & 8 PM
Location: Gymnasium
Description: Men’s & Women’s Basketball vs Nassau Community College
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Title: Entre Familia: Celebrando a Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez
Date | Time: Saturday, November 22 | 7:30 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: The acclaimed singer Cita Rodríguez—renowned in salsa and Latin jazz—and her orchestra, under the musical direction of her trumpet virtuoso brother, Dr. Pete Rodríguez, presents a heartfelt celebration honoring the musical genius and legacy of their father, Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodríguez, one of the greatest salsa singers of all time. Special guest singers Hermán Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Ray Viera, Ray Martínez, and Willie Torres join in to pay tribute. Hosted by Raymond Pérez. Buy tickets here.
Title: The Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council Safe Zone Trainings
Date | Time: TWO TRAININGS: Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, January 15 | 1 - 2:30 PM
Location: December 4 (Zoom) and January, 15 (In Person)
Description: The Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council and the Women's Center are proud to announce their next round of Safe Zone Trainings. The goal of Safe Zone Trainings is to help attendees familiarize themselves with LGBTQIA+ vocabulary and to be a support to your students and colleagues. RSVP here. Please note that the in person session will be held in the Women's Center and is capped at 20 people. Lunch will be provided!
Title: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Date | Time: Thursday, December 4 | 2 PM
Location: C-building Lobby
Description: The Office of the President is pleased to invite you to our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The holiday magic will unfold with a heartwarming program filled with music, joy, and camaraderie.
Title: Spanish Harlem Orchestra – “Salsa Navidad”
Date | Time: Saturday, December 6 | 8 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: A festive holiday salsa concert featuring beloved classics and new music. Led by this Grammy-winning ensemble, the show bridges traditional and contemporary sounds.
Title: Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Date | Time: Tuesday, December 9 | 4 PM
Location: Repertory Theater
Description: Join us for Hostos Community College Annual Kwanzaa Ceremony, celebrating the principle of "Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility." The evening will feature a special performance of music and dance by the African dance collective Arts in Blue. A cultural and communal event for the entire family, celebrating the seven guiding principles of African Heritage. RSVP here.
Title: Fall 2025 Peace & Poetry
Date | Time: Tuesday, December 9 | 1 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Description: The Office of the President and the Writing Center are delighted to announce an afternoon of Peace & Poetry that will provide an opportunity for our very own Hostos poets — students, faculty, and staff — to come together to share their favorite poem or an original creation. For the past two years, the Peace & Poetry event has generated great joy amidst dignified reflection as our community joins together in sharing poems that resonate with our lived experiences, and our hopes and dreams for the future.
Fall 2025 End of Semester All College Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, December 11 | 2:30 – 5 PM
Location: Repertory Theater
Description: Come together as we reflect on the state of our College with insights from senior leadership. During this special gathering, we’ll also celebrate members of our community who embody the spirit of Hostos — those who have served with grace, dedication, and resilience — through the Manos a la Obra / All-Hands-on-Deck Awards. And to top it all off, enjoy a talent show showcasing the creativity and spirit of our community! If you wish to nominate a well-deserving member of the Hostos family to receive a Manos a la Obra / All-Hands-on-Deck Award, please send a nomination to dkreymer@hostos.cuny.edu and mstmarthe@hostos.cuny.edu by Friday, November 21.
Title: December 2025: College-wide Senate Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, December 20 | 3:30 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: Papo Vázquez – “Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda”
Date | Time: Sunday, December 21 | 3 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Grammy-nominated and NEA Master Artist Papo Vázquez celebrates the holiday season with parranda music and Latin jazz–influenced holiday songs — a warm, inclusive celebration perfect for families.
Title: Kwanzaa Regeneration Celebration
Date | Time: Sunday, December 28 | 3 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Join us for an uplifting performance featuring Forces of Nature Dance Theatre under the leadership of critically acclaimed choreographer Abdel Salaam. This will be a joyous celebration of Kwanzaa through dance from across the African Diaspora, music and spoken word, honoring the principles of Kwanzaa, family, community and culture. Get tickets here.
| | ABOUT EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO / THE HOSTOS WEEKLY | | El Semanario Hostosiano / The Hostos Weekly is a communication vehicle designed to unite our multiple voices as we share news about members of the Hostos family, provide updates on our projects and upcoming events, and disseminate policy that impacts our work. | | El Semanario Hostosiano / The Hostos Weekly will be taking a short break next week for Thanksgiving. We’ll be back on Friday, December 5! Wishing you a wonderful and restful holiday. | | |
Past issues can be found here.
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